Schwartzel Sinking in South Africa

Charl Schwartzel's bid to become one of the few golfers to have claimed three victories in a row at a European Tour event was dealt an unexpected blow, yesterday, when Damien McGrane and Jamie Elson ran away with the lead at the Johannesburg Open. The two largely unknown players finished on eight-under-par 63, compared to a first round 72 from Schwartzel.

Remarking on his success in the Southern Hemisphere, Ireland's McGrane said that he played “beautifully, from start to finish”.

Schwartzel, who won the Masters Tournament in 2011, had been hoping to join two-time US Open winner, Ernie Els, fellow Masters winners, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, and Colin Montgomerie and Ian Woosnam, in winning a particular tournament on three consecutive occasions. People following the best Masters golf betting odds online should remember this.

Given that Schwartzel is currently tied for 56th at the Joburg, alongside his compatriot Dawie Van der Walt, and myriad others, his chances of securing a third Open victory appear slim, at best. The development means that Schwartzel makes an awkward start to 2012, and to his preparations for the Masters defence at Augusta, in April.

Robert Rock, of England, tops the leaderboard at the Joburg, as of 2:50p.m on Friday, with rounds of 65 and 67. James 'Jbe' Kruger and Branden Grace are tied for second place, while Michiel Bothma and George Coetzee fight it out in fourth. Notably, Rock is the only non-South African in the top six.

Schwartzel's countryman, and two-time US Open champion, Retief Goosen, is tied for ninth with a score of seven-under-par.

Unfortunately, golfers will have to be satisfied with their current positions for the immediate future. Play was stopped at the Joburg just before 2pm, today, due to poor weather conditions. The Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club has been besieged by thunderstorms since the outset of the Open, yesterday.

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